Tanora Ligons

Tanora is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, and Master of Arts in Psychology at Kean University. Upon graduating from Kean, Tanora went on to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at Rutgers University. She earned her MSW in 2019, as well as a certificate in Addiction Counselor Training. Tanora also has a certificate in Gambling Counseling Training, and a standard certificate to practice as a school social worker. Tanora has worked in an outpatient substance abuse program at a hospital in New Jersey. In the substance abuse program, she provided integrated evidenced-based individual and group counseling to adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders, as well as trauma. Tanora is currently employed as a social worker at a middle school. She is also the task manager for its school-based counseling program for students. Tanora’s goal as a social worker is to continue making a positive impact in the lives of individuals, couples, groups, families, and communities through advanced social work practice. 

Many African American men are affected by substance use and mental health disorders nationwide. Research indicates that there is an overrepresentation of African Americans who abuse drugs in the United States and increase in serious mental illness among this population. Moreover, institutional racism and discrimination perpetuate racial disparities and systemic barriers experienced by African American men in substance abuse and mental health treatment, which adversely impacts their lives and treatment outcomes. Therefore, understanding the lived experiences of African American men in treatment is crucial to addressing and combating systemic barriers and racial disparities, which can improve the therapeutic relationship and promote better treatment outcomes.